This Day in American History: June 20

On this day, June 20, Congress, West Virginia, Alaska and Jaws made the spotlight in United States history. Here's more.

1782: Congress Adopts the Great Seal of the United States

After six years of discussion, on June 20, 1782, Congress made the decision to adopt the Great Seal of the United States. Charles Thomas created the design that was presented to Congress. 

The front of the seal displays a bald eagle, the national bird, holding an olive branch in its right talon and a bundle of 13 arrows in its left. The olive represents peace, whereas the arrows signify war. 

In the eagle's beak is a banner that states the national original motto: E Pluribus Unum. The motto is a Latin phrase meaning "Out of Many One." 

Located on the chest of the eagle is a shield that contains 13 red and white stripes, topped by a blue bar. The alternating red and white stripes represent "balance between innocence and valor, topped by the blue of 'vigilance, perseverance and justice," according to History.com.

Also above the eagle's head is a cloud surrounding a blue patch containing 13 stars. History.com states that these 13 stars form a constellation that indicate "a new State [is] taking its place and rank among other sovereign powers."

1863: West Virginia Enters the Union

West Virginia was the 35th U.S. state to be admitted into the Union. This admittance took place during the Civil War. On the same day, June 20, Arhur Boreman was made the first state governor of West Virginia. 

West Virginia's state motto is "Mountaineers Are Always Free," said the Americaslibrary.gov. "The phrase reflects the history and identity of the state and indicates how West Virginia became the 35th state in the Union of June 20,1863." 

In April 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the admission of West Virginia into the Union, which was effective June 20, 1863.

1977: Oil Flows in Alaska

In 1977, the trans-Alaskan pipeline began flowing to the ice-free port of Valdez, Alaska, from the largest crude oil field in Prudhoe Bay. The steel pipeline twists and turns through 800 miles of he Alaskan wilderness. Through the Alaskan wilderness, the pipeline crosses three Arctic mountain ranges and hundreds of rivers and streams. 

During its construction, environmentalists fought to prevent the pipeline from being built. Environmentalists claimed that the pipeline would destroy ecosystems and harm the environment. Unfortunately for the environmentalists, Congress overruled their motion to stop construction. 

The building of the trans-Alaskan pipeline cost $8 billion and took three years to build. Today, the trans-Alaskan pipeline produces about 800,000 barrels each day. In its lifetime, the pipeline has carried more than 14 billion barrels worth of oil.

1975: Jaws Released

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On June 20, 1975, the iconic movie Jaws was released to theaters. Directed by Steven Spielberg, Jaws made $7,790,627 from the domestic opening weekend.

Based on Peter Benchley's novel, Steven Spielberg created a movie that made many movie watchers frightened to go into the water. After an enormous great white shark began picking off residents of Amity Island, Police Chief Brody begins investigating. During the July 4th tourist attraction weekend, the mayor refuses to put the beaches on shark alert. After the shark claims more victims, Brody begins to take action and go after the shark himself.

People never viewed sharks quite the same since the movie's release.